More than 100 South Korean women forced into prostitution for American soldiers decades ago have filed a landmark lawsuit accusing the United States military of abuse, their lawyers said Tuesday.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, tens of thousands of women were compelled to work in brothels near US military bases, often under government supervision. In 2022, South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that Seoul had illegally managed the system and ordered compensation for 120 victims.
The new case, filed last week by 117 women, seeks an official apology and 10 million won ($7,200) each in damages from Washington. One plaintiff, who said she was tricked into the work at age 17, described being beaten for minor infractions and subjected to painful medical treatments during mandatory health checks.
In a statement, women’s rights groups supporting the plaintiffs accused the US military of violating South Korea’s constitution and destroying the victims’ personal freedom.
The lawsuit formally names the South Korean government as the defendant, since
